Machine for moistening gum on stamps or envelopes



(No Model.)

W. R. COLE. MAGHINB FOR MOISTENING GUM 0N STAMPS 0R ENVELOlES. No. 541,593. Patented June 25, 1895.

NITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

WVILLIAM R. COLE, OF POTTSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA. v

MACHINE FOR MOISTENING GUM ON STAMPS OR ENVELOPES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 541,593, dated June 25,1895.

Application filed August 28, 1894. Serial No. 521,572. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM R. Cows, of Pottsville, in the county of Schuylkill and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Machines for Moistening the Gum or Mucilage on Stamps, Envelopes, or other Gummed Paper, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to machines for moistening the gum or mucilage on envelopes and stamps, similar in some respects to the stamp and envelope gum moistener for which Letters Patent No. 477,887 were granted me June 28, 1892. It differs, however, therefrom in not being constructed with a spring plunger to force the moistening pad into the water cup, but is provided with a stationary pad and holder to which water is supplied from a base cup by pressure upon a rubber cap adjusted to form an air tight covering of the said cup, and in the general arrangement and construction of its parts, whereby the device is rendered more compact, fewer parts are required to operate it, and the moistening pad is more permanently supplied with water, and therefore performs its office with greater celerity and efficiency.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation of my improved stamp and envelope gum moistener, showing the same as it will appear from a side view ready foroperation. Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the method of adjusting the moistening-pad, the-rubber cover, and the felt or cloth disk to the water-cup. Fig. 3 is a top view; and Fig. 4: is a view of the upper surface of the rubber cap, showing perforation in the center to permit the drip to run back into the cup.

A is areceptacle for water,provided with flanges projecting outwardly from the whole of the upper rim and also a projecting attachment to oneof its sides of a smaller diameter and elevation than the receptacle. This projection is provided with vertical and horizontal openings a at, making a channel or opening with the lower part of the receptacle.

B is a stem or tube supporting and opening into a cup-holder for the moistening pad 0. The tube is of the same diameteras that of the upright channel a into which the lower end 'of the tube is secured. The cup-holder at the opposite end is an open vessel, having its lower opening of smaller diameter than that of the upper, so as to readily secure the moistening pad D and hold it suspended over the receptacle.

D is a moistening pad of any absorbent material, suspended from the bottom of the cup-holder O by pressure of the flattened sides of the holder C.

E. is a rubber cap, provided with a continuous overhanging fiap or grip, and having a perforation c, (Fig. 4) in the center.

F is a disk of felt or cloth, havinga plug f of the same material projected from its center, the plug being of the same diameter as the perforation in the rubber cap.

The receptacle, having the pipe, cup-holder and pad secured into the upright channel of its projecting attachment, is supplied with water, the rubber cap drawn over and gripped to the flanges of the receptacle, the felt disk is placed in position on the upper surface of the cap, with the plug ff pressed through the perforation, and thedevice is ready for operation. To operate it pressure is exerted on the felt disk covering the cap. The water will be forced through the channel openings and the tube into the cup holding the moistening pad which is quickly filled with water. This Water percolates through the moistening pad, keeping the pad always moistened and ready for use by the operator by passing the gummed flap of the envelope, or other substance to be moistened, gently overitslower surface. The drip from the water passing over and through the moistener falls on the felt disk, and the superfiuity passes through the felt and perforation in the rubber cap into the receptacle. The moistened felt disk over the cap maybe conveniently used for all purposes for which sponge cups are now used.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. As an improved article of manufacture,

a receptacle for water, a stamp and envelope gum moistener, consisting of an overhanging moistening cup having a moistening pad suspended from its lower opening, and connected ICO by a tube to the receptacle, said receptacle hanging moistening cup 0 and m'oistener IO being provided with a close fitting perforated D adjusted thereto, with the perforated rubber cap and overlying felt disk for forcing rubber cap E, and the felt disk F, subthe Water by pressure through openings to stantially as herein shown and described, and

5 the tube and thence to the moistening cup, for the purpose set forth.

all constructed and arranged as shown and WILLIAM R. COLE. described. Witnesses:

2. The combination with the receptacle A CHAS. H. W'oLTJEN,

of the tube B, terminating in the over- ANNIE A. KELLY. 

